Author's Note: Thank you for the continued support of follows, favorites, PM's and reviews. They always bring a smile to my face. A special thank you to lontanissima and to Roni for her patience and Beta work.

Chapter 7

If Only You Knew

Andy was in the basement where they kept the old cases archived, when his phone buzzed for a second time. But he ignored it again as he continued his search for a particular box. There was something familiar about the current case, something that drew him to one he worked on years ago. He skimmed dates then names. He remembered the faces of the victims, the names however had begun to fade. As soon as he saw it, he would know. His phone buzzed again and he grumbled, reaching into his pocket and smiling when he spotted Sharon's name.

I have a salad waiting for you. Come take a break.

Andy looked at the time, thirty minutes had gone by since she'd sent it. He sighed, knowing she would have finished her food and there was no point in returning, if he would be eating alone anyway. Damn, he wished he would have checked sooner.

His message was quick: Thanks, still searching.

He opened his other messages to the last two and a small but curious smile reached his lips.

I have a surprise you may like.

Are you free tomorrow?

They were both from Abby. He debated replying, but chose not to and pocketed his phone, he would respond later. He went row by row, passing box after box. It took him an additional fifteen minutes to find it, up on the highest shelf. But he saw the name Maddie Andrews and the corresponding dates and the light bulb flashed. He found the ladder stored away and perched it up against the shelves. When he reached the topmost step and pulled the box down, he heard a soft and playful boo, not meant to scare him, but to let him know she was there. He looked down to see Sharon holding the legs of the ladder.

Andy smiled when she did, there was both light and heaviness in her expression.

"I am very concerned, Lieutenant" She called up to him as he steadied himself and started climbing down.

He grinned, she was in a playful mood. "Yeah, why is that, Captain?"

"Well," she held the Ls for a second before continuing, "You shouldn't be climbing a ladder without a spotter." He chuckled descending the steps as she went on. "I wonder what other rules you've been breaking in here." Sharon backed away with a mischievous look in her eyes - something she only used when they were alone and when in a certain mood. He was fine with it as long as he could play along. Taking the last step down he stopped and turned to face her.

"So there are rules now? On how this thing should be climbed?" Andy teased.

She took a step forward getting in his personal space, the box against both of their chests. He took advantage to get a good look in her eyes and enjoy the smell of her perfume. Both her hands were linked behind her back until she pointed at something behind him. He looked over his shoulder curiously and laughed when he saw the sticker on one of the pegs explaining the steps in climbing.

"Ah, I see." He said still laughing, setting the box on the floor as she took a step back again. Andy righted himself, looked her in the eye and put his right hand over his chest, then raised his left hand in a pledge. "I promise I will not do it again." His hands dropped to his sides when she grinned.

He turned his back to her and Sharon deemed it fair to enjoy the view from behind as he folded the ladder, she bit her bottom lip when he was out of sight. A small smile formed on her lips. Damn him for being so attractive.

Sharon looked down at the box and sighed, remembering the case. It was her first year in IA and she had to interview Andy and his entire division. A mother of two had been shot and killed and later that week his team had been caught in cross fire after trying to protect the children who had been left without parents. Neither of the two kids had made it and Andy was right - the killing of that mother from all those years ago was very similar to the shooting they had encountered today.

"I just have to go through it." He said softly as he returned and saw her staring at the box. "Maybe I can find something." She simply nodded. It wasn't only the case she was worried about, hopefully locating the box would help ease him a bit, too. He had been struggling the past few hours and had already mentioned speaking to his sponsor over the phone. When he lifted the box, she stepped forward and put her hand on top of it. His curious eyes met her concerned ones.

Sharon smiled and spoke sweetly, "I have an even bigger concern." Andy looked at her confused and apprehension rushed through him. Was it Stroh? Did something happen to her or the kid? Then the feeling quickly evaporated as she tilted her head towards the shelf. He smiled warmly when he saw a brown bag sitting in one of the corners. He sighed heavily, he was starving. "You haven't had your lunch yet." She smiled warmly at him.

It was gestures like these that made it impossible for him not to adore her. She was here at work as his Captain, but caring for him as her friend.

"I'm eating in here?" He joked.

Sharon made a point of looking around with a dramatic scowl. "No, it's much too dusty. However, I do have a place you may like." Andy smiled when she looked at him again with a hopeful gaze.

He nodded and followed her as she grabbed the bag with his salad. He lugged the box with him, too afraid to leave it behind and lose it again. They climbed in the elevator and when she hit the highest floor, he squinted at her curiously, but she gave him no hints. They walked down the empty and silent hallway until they reached the door at the far end. Andy walked inside and was intrigued when he found an office vacant except for the desk and chair.

The blinds were gone, leaving the large glass window unobscured. He sat the box down and walked over and around the desk to look more closely and admire the view. He turned to face her, breaking the silence they had the entire way up.

"You sure we aren't breaking any rules here?" He looked back out, the sun was beginning to set.

Sharon scoffed and rolled her eyes jokingly. "Who do you think I am?"

Andy tapped on the window with a knuckle feeling the outside coolness against his skin. "You got permission, didn't you?" He teased. She laughed merrily, he loved the sound. Then turned around to watch her as she did and had to take a sharp breath—Sharon was propped up on the desk with her sexy legs crossed and showing off what he imagined to be very soft skin. Her skirt was slipping higher while she peeked into the brown bag.

"I know the rules, Andy. I very well don't need permission to have lunch with my friend in this room." She spoke with a soft smile, still moving the contents inside the bag.

He took a seat close to her, not leaving but a hand of space between them. He was well aware of the vacant space on the desk, but he preferred that spot and she didn't seem to mind either.

"So I'm a friend again, not the Lieutenant." Sharon handed him a salad, napkin, water and fork. He said a soft thank you as he continued watching her dig through the bag while rubbing her lips together. She hadn't eaten yet? She pulled out a similar but smaller portioned salad. She waited for him?

"You're always my friend, Andrew Flynn." She said softly, looking out at the view before taking a bite.

Sharon shifted inconspicuously, closing what little space was left between them. Her thigh grazed his and she made a point of licking her lips just for good measure. Then being adamant with herself about not looking over at him for a reaction.

Andy felt her shift her thigh against his and his mouth dried just a bit. He thought of moving over to give her more room, but schooled his features when he noticed she didn't mind at all.

Instead he opened up his own salad and a content little hum escaped him as he noticed his order was perfect. There was no need to pick out the extra cheese, no need to go light on dressing, because it was low fat, and they had skipped the cucumbers just as he preferred. Andy turned to her when he realized she had gone and picked up lunch for the both of them.

His words were sincere and soft, "Thank you for this."

She hummed looking over at him with a big smile. "You don't have to thank me." Sharon cheerfully nudged her shoulder with his before looking out at the view again.

They ate in a comfortable silence broken only by the sounds of their forks tapping against the bowls, lettuce crunching, the air conditioning whirring and the soft little noise she let out when she was full that he always found sweet. They were both hungry, she hadn't taken her meal with the team, waiting for him until she couldn't stand her growling stomach and had excused herself to make a supposedly quick and personal run. Instead she found herself taking the elevator to the basement. As long as they were back in thirty minutes, they would be alright. He smiled when he watched her dispose of her heels and they thumped down on the ground. It was so comfortable to be this way, nothing was difficult when they were alone.

"How'd you find this place?" Andy asked once his salad was gone and hers had just a few remaining pieces, but lay forgotten on the empty space behind them.

"I do not reveal my sources or secrets." She grinned, but kept her eyes on the setting sun.

He smirked ready to make one of his remarks, but as he turned to look at her his smile quickly softened. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, especially in that particular light and setting. Also in the comfortable space where she was just being herself, the person he got to see on their outings. Sharon turned due to the silence and her smile widened when she caught him staring. But it only lasted a moment before she looked away and her hand rubbed at her neck.

"What is it?" He asked worried when she winced in pain.

"It hurts to turn that way," she chuckled dryly. And she hated that it had ruined that particular moment. "Age does not seem to have changed Abby's habit of kicking, tossing and turning all night." She rubbed again, then froze when his fingers met hers, there was an immediate rush through her body.

He hesitantly grazed her neck as she moved her hand away and it sent chills through her, goosebumps rising across her skin. When he noticed her hand had landed flat on the desktop and she wasn't objecting, he slowly applied more pressure. His expectations of soft skin were met, it was even better than he imagined.

Sharon shut her eyes when a tinge of pain shot through her. She had to bite her cheek to keep from screaming, but then there was relief and she released a soft noise, her shoulders relaxing. His thumb rubbed softly and she let him continue, rolling her shoulders against the pressure he was applying.

Andy smiled when he noticed she was not pulling away, then stood up and stopped his ministrations. He grinned when she let out a small frustrated noise he was sure he wasn't meant to hear. Her hand went to her neck again and he shook his head. She was so stubborn he knew she wouldn't ask him to continue.

"Here, scoot back," Andy encouraged her as he put both their salads in the bag and walked around the desk. They were both surprised that she did so without hesitation, swiveling and pushing back until both his hands were on her neck again. It was perfect, a gentle pressure and then slight pain until it slowly drifted away. His hands were remarkably soft and warm against her skin. "You sure it's just Abby?" He whispered and felt her tense, but kept slowly moving his hand till she eased against him again. "I noticed you haven't been sleeping well." His words were met with only silence and he shook his head, "In your eyes, I mean." They talked very little about Stroh outside of work, but he knew she was holding onto a lot of feelings.

Sharon closed her eyes when her sore muscles began to relax. She was aware he was speaking, but could only concentrate on his breath against her neck every time he did. It warmed her entire body, making her flush at the thought of what his hands were doing to her and how much she was enjoying it. It feels good. So good. Everything blurred and she delighted in Andy's touch. It felt so heavenly. Biting down on her lip was the only way to keep her from embarrassing herself with any compromising noises and she suppressed the small whimper building inside her as she thought of everything else he could do with his hands. She heard the small moan that filled the room and leaned back into his touch. Andy's thumbs applied pressure again and the moan was much louder the second time. Her eyes snapped open when she realized it was coming from her. There was very little space between his chest and her back.

Just one more movement and she could lean into him, allow him to run his hands down her arms and put them around her. She hummed before snapping back to the present. She didn't want it to stop, but she put a hand over his and rolled her shoulders. The aching pain she had woken up with the past several nights had vanished. Feeling embarrassed and apologizing would be her normal and obvious reaction, but instead she turned to him and smiled.

"Thank you, I needed that." Her hand was on his arm and squeezed it softly. "We should get back," she smiled when he only nodded.

Andy walked around the desk and set her shoes up at her feet, so she wouldn't have to touch the floor. She surprised him by holding onto his shoulder as she climbed into them and looking up to meet his eyes. He was in disbelief of the anticipation and longing he saw brewing there. Sharon had never looked at him that way before - at least not openly. He closed his eyes when she leaned in and kissed his cheek, lingering for a moment before pulling back.

The look in his eyes when she looked up made her regret it immediately. It was not shock, but it held confusion and hurt. Sharon stepped back releasing his arm and giving him a warm smile. She didn't want to push him away more than she already had. Missing him as much as she did was a new feeling, something she never expected. Their afternoon talks on the phone had vanished completely, the only outing they had recently was the beach and they hadn't even been alone there. She wanted him back.

Andy walked to his jacket and thought of the sound, the same sound he had awoken to in his dreams. Just now it was real. She had moaned because of his hands, his touch. He turned and saw her straightening her dress, then looked away. She had no clue what she did to him and it made him even more attracted to her. It had become torturous having to control himself. And a kiss on the cheek, she was more affectionate than usual.

"Earth to Andrew Flynn." He heard whispered in his ear. He spun around surprised to find her in his space again. By the look in her eyes he was sure she knew exactly what he was thinking. He loved when she was in these moods, but it confused the hell out of him. Never, those were her words, but they were here expressing so much with their unspoken words and soft touches.

She looked back and grabbed the bag of trash.

"Thanks for lunch." He grinned chancing his luck when he rubbed his hand down her arm.

"We should do it more often." Sharon whispered and smiled tilting her head to the side. He frowned as she said, "You're forgetting something."

He saw the box on the floor and quickly went to grab it. It dawned on him that she had planned this all along. It was her intention to help him feel better and to clear his mind - for a few minutes she had helped him smile and relieve the stress of the case. He shifted the box to hold it under one arm and against his hip, his other hand held the door open for her. On their way back she walked side by side with him, lingering next to him. He took glances over at her, but she gave nothing away.

They returned to the murder room and easily settled back into their work. Sharon assigned Buzz and Sykes to help Andy unpack the box and go through the files. They found parallels between the old case and the new one, laying it out on the board. There was an easiness that settled over him, it made her happy for him.

"Abigail," They all turned at the excitement in Provenza's voice. Andy rolled his eyes when he saw the older man walk over to the newcomer. She immediately had the whole room's attention, wearing a tan form-fitted dress that fell to right above her knee.

Abby smiled at the older man. "Lieutenant, how are you today?" She indulged him by rubbing her hands down the lapels of his jacket. Provenza cleared his throat while the others smiled seeing the playfulness in her eyes. She was awfully good at the teasing game.

"Very well," he said with a smirk and an extra roughness to his voice. "You have a date with the Captain?" He pointed at Sharon who was in her office looking away from them while talking on the phone.

She glared across the room and everyone's eyes followed hers. "No, I am actually on the hunt for a very bad friend." Andy scowled cursing at himself as he patted his pockets for his phone. He had forgotten to message her back. "Oh yes," she called across the room when she saw him fidgeting, "You are ignoring my messages." They all turned back at Andy who was looking at her apologetically.

He gestured at all the files on the desk. "I was in the basement searching through archives."

"Mmhm," she grinned teasingly and looked back at the older Lieutenant standing in the same spot not believing what was happening. The Captain's sister was after Andy? "Do you believe him?" She asked Provenza before she walked over to Andy. "Because I don't." The entire team had given up on the case and was watching the scene that was happening before them.

Sharon turned around when she heard commotion and sighed when she saw her sister taking deliberately slow steps across the murder room. She looked at Andy who was looking sheepishly at Abigail. It was jealousy, she had fought it hard and long enough, but she knew it to be true. Andy and Abby were falling for one another and it hurt her. She was drawn back to the conversation she was having on the telephone and quickly looked away, rubbing her temple.

Abby stopped in front of Andy and grinned, biting her bottom lip as she looked him over carefully. He looked down as she handed him a gift bag. He squinted at it as she shook it. "Well, go on and open it." Abby told him.

He hesitantly took it before he nervously looked inside, pulled out a brand new Dodgers baseball cap and smiled as he looked at it curiously.

"Thanks," Andy smiled genuinely.

Abby scoffed as she took the hat and tiptoed, then placed it on his head. She hummed when he still looked as handsome as he did without it.

Her grin widened when their eyes met, he knew how to give a woman the attention she deserved and she loved it.

The entire team looked around at each other. Some of them confused, others grinned at the look of horror on Provenza's face. She wasn't good at just teasing but also at the game of seduction and it seemed like Andy was on her list.

Abby searched through the gift bag for him and held out an envelope. "Now, although the cap looks charming, this is the surprise you so purposefully ignored." She pursed her lips at him.

"I'm sorry." He told her as she glared at him.

"Oh, I know, just open that." She propped herself on the edge of his desk as Andy opened the envelope. She waved hello at Provenza across the room when she saw him standing shocked in the same spot. The others looked at the Lieutenant and chuckled when he looked absolutely horrified.

"Skybox tickets." Andy called out. He turned to her and she held up her hands at her sides in triumph.

"Surprise for tomorrow!" She leaned over and tapped the ticket, "You and me? What do you say?" He looked up at her in shock. "It pays off when one answers their messages. You see, you build a friendship and then you get to ask favors." She crossed her legs and reached for the end of his tie and pulled him closer to her. "What do you say?" She whispered seductively.

Andy chuckled at her, then hugged her. She was pleasantly surprised and wrapped her arms around him, returning the embrace. They pulled away and in a second Provenza was by his side snatching the tickets.

They all turned quickly when a familiar voice sounded through the room. "Abby, you have my team out of sorts, I see." Sharon stood at her office door, a glare pointed at her sister.

"Oh, sorry, Shari." She climbed off the desk, but not before running her hand down Andy's chest, and then looked at her sister apologetically. "I had some news for Andy and couldn't wait."

"I can see," Sharon crossed her arms in front of herself looking up at his hat, he pulled it off quickly and held it in his hands, fidgeting with it nervously.

Abby walked around her sister and stood beside her. "I will leave you in hopes that this case will be over by tomorrow." She winked at Andy across the room, gaining a large smile from his part.

Sharon nodded with a tight smile as Abby kissed her cheek and started to leave, but she stopped and pushed Lieutenant Provenza's jaw closed. "Now, now, Lieutenant, if you ask your friend to answer his messages, he may convince me to get him some tickets for the two of you in the future as long as he helps me, shall I say, with some personal favors." She met Andy's eyes across the room.

Andy cleared his throat going red as Abby grinned, leaving the office when Sharon turned to glare at her. The rest of the team laughed and wolf whistled at Andy's expense.

Sharon, however, watched as Andy looked down and smiled at his new cap. She turned on her heel and returned to her office, closing her door behind her.